Australian Reunion with Philadelphia 76ers, A Possibility for Dante Exum and Brett Brown

With an Australian coach already in the team, the Philadelphia 76ers could be looking to draft another Australian in Dante Exum in the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft on June 26.

According to a report from philly.com, Philadelphia’s general manager Sam Hinkie has “studied Exum intently” and has talked with head coach Brett Brown on the possibility that they’ll take him as their first round pick in the draft.

Brown was the head coach of the Australian Basketball National Team in 2011 when he invited a then 15-year-old Exum in one of the Boomers’ practices.

Now 18 years of age, the Aussie guard is projected to be at least a Top 5 pick. The 76ers have a lottery first rounder with a 19.9 per cent chance to select the top pick based on the draft lottery odds.

ESPN writes about Exum in the site’s scouting report:

“Exum can play both guard positions and has the ideal blend of athleticism and skill. He is very quick with the ball and gets to the rim almost effortlessly. His jump shot is still a work in progress -- the primary weakness in his game. If he were playing in the U.S., he would be a contender for the No. 1 overall pick.”

The Sixers already have Michael Carter-Williams, who played the point guard and shooting guard positions last season. The question for the Sixers brass, should they decide to tap Exum, is if both can be versatile enough to actually play alongside each other.

MCW was drafted 11th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft and was named the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year last May. Exum impressed scouts in the Under-17 and Under-19 FIBA World Championships and also at the World Select Team at the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit.

Other top prospects in the 2014 NBA Draft are Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart.S